Addiction informational DVD available at Geauga County Public Library

By News-Herald staff

Sunday, January 13, 2013

A DVD of a panel discussion addressing rising opiate addiction rates in Geauga County is available for loan in all Geauga County Public Library locations.

Newbury Schools Auditorium hosted the Dec. 3 event that included civic leaders, educators, law-enforcement officials, physicians, a recovering addict and a parent. G-TV will be airing the discussion and is providing the DVDs to all library locations for free.

Opiate addiction in Geauga County has reached alarming levels, according to members of the panel.

In the past 26 months, 50 deaths in the county have been attributed to overdoses of heroin or opiates. Heroin has escalated in popularity among middle- and high-school students because of its low price and wide availability.

"We encourage everyone to inform themselves of the risks and consequences of drug use," said Library Director Deborah O'Connor.

"These DVDs share this information and may be convenient for people who live outside of G-TV's viewing area."